Windows 10 Clean Install Error

Question

Hi

Trying to do Windows 10 clean install since yesterday, 06 Nov.

Support agents got me thus far ito bootable USB.

Im at the point where its asking where i want to install Windows (Drive 0 unallocated space); ‘windows cannot be installed to this disk. Computer’s hardware may not support....etc’

Ive tried command prompt to clean disk etc (which also says not enough memory to complete command) and does not seem to be working?

Someone was supposed to call me this afternoon - nothing.

Would appreciate any assistance.

Lloyd

Answer 1

How was the USB drive created? Use only the media Creation Tool following the steps in the middle of the download page here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

You would only enable CSM if you're not taking advantage of the modern UEFI BIOS your PC obviously has if it has CSM setting. So make sure that UEFI is enabled in the Advanced UEFI setup tab, and that UEFI Boot Priority is set in Boot tab's Boot Order Priority, with Windows Boot Manager set first to boot.

Are you able to get into UEFI/BIOS setup to check these settings tabs? See here for key to press while powering up to access Setup: https://www.mydigitallife.net/comprehensive-lis...

If Windows is working you can also access UEFI setup this way: http://www.isunshare.com/windows-password/four-...

While in Windows 10, type System Information into Start Search to report back what BIOS mode is listed now.

Answer 2

Hi Greg

Im using bootable USB which contains iso file/ windows 10 for clean installation.

I saw on a video for my laptop Asus TP200SA in order to boot from USB launch CSM must be enabled and secure boot control disabled-this way I am able to boot with USB?

Im not familiar with UEFI-am not seeing this anywhere?

Answer 3

Hi Lloyd.

In UEFI setup, UEFI must be enabled, CSM disabled.

Secure Boot and Fast Boot may need to be disabled if it keeps failing.

Windows Boot Manager must remain the first item in Boot Priority, and only the UEFI boot choices used.

For UEFI we boot the media as a UEFI device using only the BIOS Boot Menu key which I listed above. Power up while pressing the designated Key, choose UEFI flash stick or UEFI DVD drive. If they do not appear then they are not formatted properly so create them again following the exact steps on the download page for Media Creation Tool: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.... If they don't appear as UEFI device then the settings in BIOS are wrong.

If Windows Boot Manager is not yet invoked it will be during install when you delete all partitions and click Next to auto-create the needed partitions and auto-format to GPT if necessary because the disk is still MBR.

I gave you extra steps to wipe the drive necessary in about 10% of cases, and there are more remedial steps for very rare cases I've found after troubleshooting UEFI through beta in about 10,000 cases.

Answer 4

Hi Greg

Thanks for your response; not working though. Have tried those options and just tried again. It says ‘we couldn’t create a new partition or locate an existing one. For more information see setup log files’.

BIOS info: version 206, SATA config is set to AHCI

Boot option 1 is ‘my USB’

Hard Drive BBS Priorities is also ‘my USB’

Launch CSM is enabled and Secure Boot Menu/ Control is disabled?

Answer 5

Hi Lloyd. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 9 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

I will give you all possible steps to troubleshoot installation failure which work in about 90% of cases. If not we'll go from there:

Follow the illustrated Clean Install steps in this tutorial which compiles the best possible install that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Make sure all other drives and peripherals are unplugged. Update the BIOS or UEFI firmware to latest, or reset to Defaults, making sure SATA controller is set to AHCI.

Create the latest new Windows 10 Installation Media by installing Media Creation Tool and following the directions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.... If you're using another PC to do this then uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first. If you can start Windows enter UEFI firmware here: http://www.isunshare.com/windows-password/four-...

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on first screen press Shift + F10 to open a Command Prompt, type the following commands followed by Enter key:

DISKPART

LIST DISK

SEL DIS # (replace # with the disk # of the Windows disk from list in previous command)

CLEAN

EXIT

Close Command Box, on second screen choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen choose Unallocated Space, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof.

You will get and keep the best possible install to the exact extent you stick with the steps, tools and methods in the linked tutorial. It's a better install than any amount of money could buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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